John 12 - Fear, Faith, and Focus

For they loved human praise more than praise from God. Ouch! This hits home, and really reminds me to check my focus, where is my focus, attention, and motivation? The Jews in this story believed in Jesus but did not openly acknowledge their faith. 

“Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭12:42-43‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Stepping out and acknowledging our faith in Jesus can often lead to challenges, persecution, being overlooked for a promotion, or not accepted into the “club.” These fears can often be real, and other times the fears are just feelings and are lies. 

Believing in Jesus is one thing, but following Jesus and walking with him daily is another. May our walk, our lives, and our actions openly acknowledge our belief in Jesus.